Welcome & Discovery Center to Open

Lovers Key State Park Facility Opening Set for May 15th

A decade-long dream is on the verge of reality at Lovers Key State Park (LKSP), between Bonita Springs and Fort Myers Beach! The Welcome & Discovery Center (W&DC) will open to the public on Saturday, May 15, reported Deb Voorhees, the former Executive Director of the Friends Of Lovers Key State Park (FOLKS) Capital Campaign, who resigned roughly three weeks ago. W&DC hours are Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with free admission.

The State of Florida paid for the $4-million W&DC construction, with FOLKS raising an additional $1.5-million for its educational exhibits and furnishings. The nationally-known Split Rock Studios from St. Paul, Minnesota, constructed the exhibits. “The W&DC is the first significant Florida Park System building in roughly 22 years, so this is a really big deal,” exclaimed Deb! “LKSP is the 2^nd most-visited Florida State Park, and an indoor site like the W&DC is crucial, not only for visitors to understand all the unique environments that make LKSP a natural treasure, but because we badly needed an indoor climate-controlled space to offer programming to our over one million annual visitors, especially during the hot and rainy summer season. We designed the W&DC with many green components, including large windows for ambient lighting, yet the interior remains so cool it does not need much air conditioning. It has LED lighting throughout, and the outside lights are all turtle-friendly, so we thought of every detail.”

Exhibit Hall

The W&DC’s second floor features its Exhibit Hall that includes a “Fishing Shack” Ranger Station, its bookstore full of high-end items including multiple works from local artists, Donor’s Wall and primary educational exhibits that focus on various LKSP aspects, such as its history, what it means to be a barrier island, estuary information, and recreational activities. “Visitors will understand the land goes back to the Calusa Indians,” Deb offered, “and how the State of Florida, Carl E. Johnson, and Lee County preserved it from development to become the public treasure it is for all to enjoy, as well as showcasing to visitors that LKSP is much more than just an amazing beach. The Exhibit Hall allows visitors to follow their own individual curiosity, with each display a stand-alone exhibit, so you never lose the narrative to understand their meaning. There is ample space between displays, to accommodate large rainy day crowds as well as for those with mobility issues.”

As soon as you enter the Exhibit Hall, an interactive barrier island map greets you. “Press the buttons and lights illuminate the history of the park from the 1950s through today,” Deb explained. “Barrier islands are alive, as their shifting sands transform them all the time, so it is interesting that in the 1950s, portions of LKSP were just water back then! The ‘On The Dunes’ display focuses on nesting sea turtles and dune plants, with sea oats and a loggerhead turtle replica who made her nest to lay eggs. Reading rails explain what you encounter near the water, like the wrackline and seaweeds, with real-life replicas to help you explore these environments in the park. The exhibits are all interactive, to be hands-on for kids and the young-at-heart, to reward your curiosity.”

 

Early W&DC visitors, however, will receive just a sneak preview of the final Exhibit Hall, Deb said. “We are now in Phase II of our fundraising campaign, to install the Coastal Strand, Mangrove Estuary, and Maritime Hammock environmental exhibits. The Coastal Strand and Maritime Hammack elements are crucial, as those environments are most lost to residential development, so many Floridians do not see them much anymore along the coast. Finally, there will be what we think will be the W&DC’s signature showpiece – a large ‘Adult & Calf Manatee’ sculpture at the main entrance. I predict the Manatee sculpture will be the most photographed aspect of the W&DC and on every Social Media site across the world! They should be in place by November.”

Community Room

Across the elevated open-air courtyard from the Exhibit Hall is the large Community Room with an adjacent preparation kitchen and restrooms, as well as an ample open-air deck overlooking the park that offers breath-taking views. “The Community Room has huge windows at the top of its walls,” Deb stated, “that allows in a tremendous amount of natural light, to bring the outdoors indoors. It is a magnificent place for weddings and receptions, along with every other type of occasion. LKSP is always a popular spot for weddings, but receptions were impossible because we did not have an indoor facility and could not host them outdoors due to wildlife and turtle lighting restrictions, but now you can rent the Conference Room, with its 70-person capacity inside and up to 110 with the open-air deck.”

While the Exhibit Hall is magnificent, the Conference Room contains Deb’s two favorite W&DC components. “I love the floor, as its elegant design is stunning, and the adjacent outdoor deck’s angled cypress ceiling transitions to a sweeping view to the park. It is simple things like these that makes the W&DC a truly sensational building.” In addition to its rental component, LKSP utilizes the Conference Room for business meetings, educational programs and lectures, often with Florida Gulf Coast University. “It has a Smart Board and modern technology for in-person sessions or audio-visual conferencing.”

The W&DC’s ground level offers an open-air classroom, native garden, and large open-air area for rental functions as well. “This is a truly beautiful space,” Deb added, “that is surprisingly cool on warm days, due to ample ceiling fans and thick concrete floor. The pilings that resemble Mangrove trees alone makes it unique!”

Lovers Key State Park is at 8700 Estero Boulevard, between Bonita Springs and the southern tip of Fort Myers Beach; for LKSP and Welcome & Discover Center information, call 239-463-4588 or see www.floridastateparks.org. To learn more about the Florida State Park System, see that website or call 850-245-2157.

 

by Gary Mooney
thewritestuff25@gmail.com